VI. Reading Comprehension
      Stress seems like such a common part of our daily lives. Peopleof all ages experience stress, whether it is a student studying for atest or an employee of an international company preparing for amajor presentation. If stress has become such a commonplaceoccurrence in our society, what purpose does it have? What roledoes stress play in our everyday lives?
      Researchers have found that stress is our body’s copingmechanism in facing danger. Moreover, the way our body reacts isdependent on the circumstance that causes us stress. For example,if a truck driver is about to crash into another car, he will mostlikely feel his heart beat palpitate at a higher rate, his musclescontract, and his motor senses sharpen. These split-secondreactions provide him with a higher chance of avoiding danger,either by pressing the brakes or by turning the steering wheel justfast enough to avoid a car accident.
      Another coping mechanism our body uses to manage stress is bydecreasing energy, or shutting down. This often happens when weput too much physical and mental strain on our body, such asstaying up too late at night or working too many hours without anyrest. In reaction to this kind of stress, our body shuts down in orderto signal the need for urgent rest. Such signs of shutting down canmanifest in many ways, such as experiencing memory loss, aninability to concentrate, a loss of appetite, and feelings of depression.
41. According to the passage, what is the main function ofstress?
(A) To decrease the chance of memory loss.
(B) To protect our body against potential hazards.
(C) To signal the need for our bodies to work harder.
(D) To release hormones during dangerous circumstances.